My dad is in the market for a utility tractor with a front bucket and rear backhoe. He'd also like a post hole digger attachment. Its purpose is to help out with misc jobs around the house, lifting and moving, digging holes, cleaning up some snowbanks...etc etc.

We found a Bolens Diesel Model # TS2220LF in the local ads. According to the ad, it has 549 hours, is a mid 80s 4wd tractor. New batt cables, starter, solenoid, hoses, hydraulic pump. It says it's in very very good condition.

He said it has a 3-pt hitch w/ hydraulic up/down & the alignment bars. Has a PTO gear for the outdrive, dual rear wheels for traction, roll bar, good tires, Front bucket has up and down pressure, differential foot lock pedal, 24 forward/5 reverse gears.

He has all the manuals, comes with a post hole digger with 2 augers, 1-12" and 1-18" which goes in place of the backhow attachment. He also has a 16' backhoe that fits on the tractor (I am assuming this is a 2nd backhoe that is larger, but I'll have to double check).

It has a 6' york rake, fork lifts.

I can buy the whole package for 11,500. The tractor itself he is offering for $8000, the 16' backhoe attachment for $3000, post hole digger for $1500, york rake for $600. My dad said he doesn't need the york rake, and if the 16' backhoe attachment is not the only backhoe attachment, he probably wouldn't get that 16'er either, so we should be able to get it for under 10k. Problem is that I don't know anything about how good a tractor this is, and after looking through some google searchs for the model I havn't found much. Any comments guys? I e-mailed the owner and hopefully he can supply some pictures.

 

Doesnt sound like a bad deal,But me,I would not go by what an hours meter said.I would want to look it over,paying close attention to the pins and bushings,the pivot areas,the areas where the hydraulic hoses rub.This would give a good indication of how well it was taken care off.Also,Im not sure if Bolens utilizes a chain like my Ford backhoe does for pivoting,but if so,I would look for slop between the chain and the teeth.I have used a few pieces of Bolens equiptment in my day,and I have no complaints to speak of.If it is in good shape,then 10k would be a fair deal I think.

 

Love my Kubota.

 

how many HP. try this site http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/index.php


It helped me alot when I was looking for a tractor. btw went with yanmar 28hp 2wd very happy

 

I know bolens made a great small tractor years ago, but before you decied you better check the parts avaliability

 

Bolens did make a pretty good small tractor, we still have an old diesel lawn mower. Check the thing out good, and I would try hard to even run it, drive it around, operate the backhoe, make sure everything works correctly.
Like TurboIndian said, check for parts availbility, that may be the biggest hurdle you'll have to jump.